New Chapter in China-Chile Relations

In accordance with the principles of mutual respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity, noninterference in internal or external affairs and equality and reciprocity, our Government and the Government of Chile have decided, after friendly negotiations, to establish diplomatic relations. This has opened a new chapter in Sino-Chilean relations. We extend our warm congratulations. Though tens of thousands of miles separate China and Chile, friendly ties between the two peoples can by no means be severed by the vast Pacific Ocean. Splendid accounts of friendship were circulated in Chile long ago. Once founded, New China enjoyed the sympathy, compliments and support of the Chilean people. Since then, non-governmental trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries have become more and more frequent. After returning from a visit to China in 1954, Mr. Salvador Allende did a great deal to promote Sino-Chilean friendship. Last year, Premier Chou En-lai sent a message warmly congratulating him on being elected President of Chile, and a Chinese workers' delegation was sent to attend his inaugural celebrations. The Chile-China Cultural Institute also sent a delegation to visit China. All this has greatly promoted the development of friendship between China and Chile. Their decision to formally establish diplomatic relations fully conforms to the fundamental interests of the people of the two countries and embodies their common aspirations. The present situation in Latin America is becoming more and more favourable to the people. A new upsurge has emerged in the struggle of the Latin American countries and people to safeguard their national independence and slate sovereignty. U.S. imperialism's acts to push Latin American countries around by relying on its power have been forcefully rebuffed. Its vicious interference in the internal and external affairs of Latin American countries through "inter-American organizations" Has been resisted time and again. United as one, the 14 Latin American countries, including Chile and Peru, have taken a joint principled stand on the question of their rights over their territorial seas, which indicates that the anti-U.S. struggle of the Latin American people has entered a new stage. The Andean Pact Organization, composed of Chile, Peru and three other Latin American countries, met recently and decided to restrict U.S. and other foreign capital and to speed up the development of their national economies. In short, U.S. imperialism cannot resort to power politics in this area as it pleases and manipulate the destiny of the people of various countries in Latin America at will any longer. Developments in Chile precisely reflect the tremendous change in the Latin American situation. Whoever can defend national independence and state sovereignty there today wins the people's support. The new Government of Chile has repeatedly declared that it will take over Chile's national resources; it has taken a number of measures for developing the national economy and announced a policy of safeguarding the right to self-determination and the principle of noninterference. These measures conform to Chile's national interests and will also have a good effect on the promotion of national and democratic movements in Latin America. Our great leader Chairman Mao has pointed out: "The just struggles of the people of all countries support each other." The peoples of China and Chile have had common circumstances and experiences. The struggles of our two peoples have always supported each other. The Chilean people have carried out a long, unyielding struggle against colonialism and neo-colonialism. We regard this struggle as support to the Chinese people. At the 25th Session of the U.N. General Assembly, the new Chilean Government voted for the draft resolution of 18 countries, including Albania and Algeria, which demanded the restoration to the People's Republic of China of all her legitimate rights in the United Nations and the ousting of the Chiang Kai-shek gang from the organization. The Chinese people are grateful to the Chilean Government for taking this just stand and will, as always, fully support the Chilean people in their just struggle to maintain national independence and state sovereignty.The establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Chile has opened up broad prospects for the further development of friendly relations between the two countries. Imperialism and all reactionary forces will certainly resort to every evil means in their efforts to sabotage the Chinese and Chilean people's friendship. But their machinations and schemes can only further reveal their ugly features. The friendship and unity between the Chinese people and the people of Chile and other Latin American countries are bound to develop and be steadily strengthened in their common struggle.